ATLANTA, Georgia - Auburn has gone home to look for a new coach, but one former Auburn player is still playing at the SEC Tournament. Earnest Ross scored 17 of his 24 points in the first half and hit three big free throws in the second overtime to help Missouri beat Texas A&M 91-83 Thursday.

Ross is one of many reasons Tony Barbee is no longer the Auburn coach. Attrition became a problem, and the 6-foot-5, 228-pound fifth-year senior swingman might be the best of the dozen players who left the Auburn program for various reasons under Barbee before their eligibility was complete.

People close to the Auburn program remember that Ross' mother would voice her displeasure at Barbee during games from her seat in the Auburn Arena when she didn't like how her son was rotated in and out of games.

Barbee's substitution patterns at times were hard to fathom, but Ross' minutes increased from 13.4 per game as a freshman under Lebo to 31.8 as a sophomore under Barbee. His scoring average also jumped from 2.8 points a game to 13.1, making him the most improved scorer in the league, and he led Barbee's first Auburn team in scoring and rebounding.

But after that sophomore year, Ross transferred to Missouri. He sat out his transfer year in 2012 and scored 10.3 points a game mostly off the bench in 2013. This season, he's averaging 13.5 points a game as a starter, and his 6.1 rebounds a game leads all SEC guards.

After Missouri's win Thursday - the Tigers advanced to play No. 1 Florida on Friday - Ross had nothing but good things to say about Auburn and Barbee.

"I'm sorry about the situation," Ross said. "I wish Auburn University and the basketball team the best. I know Jay Jacobs is going to do a great job trying to find the next best coach. I wish Coach Barbee the best in his future, and I just wish Auburn the best in everything they do."

Ross also offered Barbee some compliments.

"He's a great coach overall," Ross said. "He's very energetic, and I think he does everything for the right reasons. He teaches his players a lot of lessons, whether it's on the court or off the court. He's a great guy, and I only wish him the best in the future."

Barbee might still have a future at Auburn if he'd been able to keep players such as Ross in the program.